Whit Honea is a slacker, a borderline degenerate, and a daydream believer. He's also our resident expert on casual chic. If it's comfortable, and not heinous, he's all over it. He's quite charming, really.

Crooked Monkey Funny t-shirts is living the dream. The clothing company was formed by two buddies in 2005 and quickly shot through the ranks of the t-shirt elite. Within two years they were being featured in GQ magazine and popular stores like "Urban Outfitters, Nordstrom, Lord and Taylor, Kitson, ShopIntuition.com, Fred Segal and over 550 other fine retailers across the world (including Japan, Hong Kong and Saudi Arabia)."

Have you ever seen a piece of furniture that you were just dying to have? Be careful what you ask for. Coffin Couches make sofas from actual recycled caskets. We're not sure how to tie that together, but it felt right.

Coffin Couches is the ultimate in green furniture design. The couches are made from coffins that they acquired from funeral homes. Apparently, due to health and safety issues, it is illegal for the general public to purchase used coffins, so the company was able to approach the funeral directors with the mindset of recycling.

Alchemy Goods has a simple mission: "Turning useless into useful." Hence the name. Alchemy is the process of transforming matter. It hit its peak of popularity in medieval times, the age, not the restaurant, when turning lead into gold was all the rage.

Alchemy Goods isn't as obsessed with gold as their forerunners, rather they strive to turn "something of lesser value into something of greater value." Sure, they're a business and like to rake in a bit of the green, but they're much more interested in producing it- green that is. The emphasis is on the ecological not the economical.

By this point we've all heard how important it is to buy eco-friendly products, and that includes fashion. But is it all just hype? Just another marketing gimmick employed by corporate America to try and get us to spend more dollars but feel less guilty about doing it? Many companies have been accused of greenwashing, and it's certainly true that buy buy buy is not the way to help our environment.

No matter what though, people will always want to dress in a way that makes them feel good about the way they look. We shouldn't have to compromise style in our quest to save the planet. Sure, we need to adjust our habits, but that doesn't mean that we'll all end up looking like a bunch of dirty hippies. Here's our list of the top 5 ways to really green up your wardrobe.

Simply put, Simple brand shoes have always ruled, but their ecoSNEAKS and GreenToe (Green Piggies for the kiddies) lines are so fantastic that we feel a bit guilty wearing anything else.

Simple started out as a "stereotypical, anti-stereotype brand offering good shoes." They claim to have learned a few things along the way, and we are inclined to believe them. They say the biggest lesson thus far is this: "HOW we make our shoes is just as important as WHY we make them."

I'm a big fan of all of the amazing independent designers out there. In an effort to get inside the mind of the indie designer and find out just what makes all of these creative types tick, I present to you an ongoing segment I call Indie Designer Interviews.

Today's interview is with Merle OBrien, the Aspen, Colorado-based designer behind a line of eco handbags called OlovesM, which were recently handed out to celebs attending the Sundance Film Festival. These fashionable and environmentally friendly bags feature predominantly recycled materials, including a snazzy sport/diaper bag made from repurposed yoga mats.

How did you get started as a designer? I was in yoga class and the idea for my bags just popped into my head, so I ran off my mat and started doing a ton of research, and cut and sewed a lot of prototypes until I figured it out. I am one of those people who is always thinking about ideas, and some seem to work, while others just help me learn more do's and dont's about business!!

I'm a big fan of all of the amazing independent designers out there. In an effort to get inside the mind of the indie designer and find out just what makes all of these creative types tick, I present to you an ongoing segment I call Indie Designer Interviews.

One of my favorite alternative clothing designers is Lori Marsha, who got her start designing handbags and jewelry almost ten years ago and has more recently expanded her work to include some stunning revamped and recycled wearable works of art. Her pieces aren't for everyone, but for those who aren't afraid to stand out and who are looking for a truly one-of-a-kind look, Lori Marsha's designs are absolutely inspiring.

Tell us a little about yourself and your work. I design one of a kind garments and accessories from primarily recycled components. I work from my home in Redlands, California and enjoy the solitude and joy that comes with the creative process.

I'm so ready for summer. Winter is all fun and games until the holidays are over, and then it's just cold and crappy for no reason (other than scientific). I'm ready to spend my days wearing shorts and flip-flops with my toes in the sand and a drink in my hand. I want to be warm.

Enter the music of Jack Johnson. I bought his new CD, Sleep Through the Static, and I have officially put winter behind me (my back is to the door).

I could go on and on about the "greeness" of Jack. The album is sold in sleeves made from recycled materials and was recorded using 100% solar energy. Take that Amp. However, as awesome as that it, I'm not writing to share the effects on my conscience, but rather the thawing of my soul. You can use that if you want.

Jack Johnson is the soundtrack to summertime. It's hard to listen to his music without skipping right to bikini season. I want to fill an ice chest with beer and invite some friends over to sit in the yard and laugh about our kids and our lives. It's a good feeling.

What does this have to do with style you ask? Everything, my friends, everything.

There are two reasons why I don't attend black tie affairs: One, they are stuffy and boring and two, those ball gowns are so darn uncomfortable.

Thanks to Angela Johnson, a clothing designer from Arizona, that problem is history. The designer who received the Fashion Group International of Arizona's Rising Star Award in 2004 has designed a ball gown made out of tee shirts! Her gowns are hand crafted from vintage tee shirts and old button down shirts, then through the magic of good design they are turned into stunning works of art.

I don't know about you but I for one would totally rock one. If you think you are confident enough to wear a tee shirt ball gown, you can pick one up at the Pink November boutique in Georgetown (D.C) starting January 21. The dress is also available online for $400 at Shop.UnsungDesigners.com

I think I have about six messenger bags and only one "proper" purse. I have one bag in particular that I really love: my big, bright orange Lacoste messenger because it's just large enough to carry my travel sketchbook, my laptop, my iPod, and all other bits and bobs of my everyday life. Sometimes, however, even my largest messenger bag isn't enough to hold one of my bigger sketchbooks and I wish I had an easy (and cheap) way of making my own bag.

MAKE's video podcasts have always been a great source of easy, geeky "Weekend Projects," like making tiny solar-powered bots or your own one-speed bike. I know, I know; it's probably not very appealing to the fashion-savvy, but the most recent video podcast really interested me because of my aforementioned messenger bag problem. Using simple kitchen trash bags or plastic grocery bags, some wax paper, an iron, and a sewing machine, you can make a full-on messenger bag. It's a fashionable way to recycle and, since the materials are damn near free, experimenting with different methods or styles won't be a problem. I'm excited to get started on mine.

Continue after the jump to watch the video tutorial!

The notion of making trash into furniture may not be appealing at first, but take a look at Rodrigo Alonso's n+ew (no more electronic waste) "stool-sculpture-installation"s and you might change your mind. Made from e-waste (electronic waste, ranging from keyboards to various wires and cords) held in epoxy resin and aluminum, these stools are the perfect addition to any geek's sitting room. The cluttered look of the mess inside is a nice contrast to the sleek shape of the piece itself.

Check out the rest of Alonso's website for more interesting designs. I'm terribly fond of the B + W dishes.

Caitlin Phillips is one crafty girl. I wish I had known about her when I was cleaning out my mother's house and donating tons of old books to the library. Phillips, whose company is called Rebound Designs, make purses from the covers of old hardback books. The pages are removed and then Phillips handcrafts each purse, matching the fabric and handle to the cover. She will also create a purse for you from your favorite book. The purse shown here sells for $110. Need a cheaper thrill, she always creates pins make from the particularly saucy bits of romance novels that sell for $8.

[via Book of Joe]

Unlike the bra purse, which turns a decorated old bra into a handbag, I've found a way to make a surprisingly respectable homemade bag -- but in messenger bag form.

This version churns out quite the stylish messenger bag. Here's a few ways it "recycles" old products:

- The material of the bag is from an old advertising banner (which can be picked up from any sign-printing store I imagine).
- The small buckles are taken from the straps on shopping carts (apparently there are quite a few abandoned carts in L.A. -- I don't recommend stealing one from the local grocery store).
- The big buckle is from a suitcase (you know you have an old suitcase you need to get rid of, anyway!)
- The author of the guide got his Velcro and foam padding from a trashcan, which could certainly be avoided if you want to just buy the darn things, as they aren't expensive.

The process involves a lot of folding and cutting and being pretty crafty, but in the end, you'll have a very useful new bag (and it's completely customizable).